2022 College Theme: In Truth and Action

Our Siena experience doesn’t happen in isolation – we are more than just a collection of individuals:

For this is the message you have heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another…
How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods
and sees a brother or sister in need
and yet refuses to help?
Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
(1 John 3:11, 17-18)

Our 2022 College Theme impels us to love in truth and action – to take the initiative in connecting beyond ourselves. It impels us to consider the following in our contemporary Catholic context:

• Spiritual and social awareness
  Who are we as a community of faith?
• Challenges and responsibilities
  Where are we called to be present?
• Conviction expressed in simple truths
  What do we say and do?

Enhancing Catholic School Identity

In collaboration with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, KU Leuven (Belgium) has designed a process and tools based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where Catholic school communities might like to see themselves in the future.

The 2022 ECSI Survey is a key element of this process – these surveys will be completed online in Term 1 by students, staff and families to assist us in better understanding how our Catholic identity is expressed in work and practice here at Siena College. Details for accessing and completing the survey will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Welcome back to the 2022 academic year and a warm welcome to all our new students and families. May I introduce the 2022 Senior Learning Leaders at Siena College:

• Jemimah Walsh, Director of Learning and Innovation
• Anna Page, Religious Education Convener
• Punita Mistry, Head of English
• Jessica Brady, Head of Health and Physical Education
• Jessica Sullivan, Head of Humanities
• Tina Di Camillo, Head of Languages
• Therese Black, Head of Mathematics
• Nicholas Harvey, Head of Science
• Claire Al-Noah, Head of The Arts and Technology
• Roxanne Summer, Head of Learning Centre
• Annette Barker, Head of Learning Diversity
• Anita Galli, Head of Senior Pathways
• Tina Di Camillo and Punita Mistry, Leaders of Pedagogy

If a parent has any concerns about curriculum related matters, please contact the subject teacher as required by leaving a voicemail message or an email. Details are available on Siena Central Parent Zone. If the matter needs to be escalated, please contact the relevant Head of Learning.

2021 VCE Acknowledgement Assembly

Our 2021 VCE Acknowledgement Assembly will be held on Tuesday, 15 March 2022. Further details will be published closer to the date.

Year 12 Learning Conversations

Year 12 students require an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) for entry into many undergraduate-entry university programs in Australia. The Year 12 Learning Conversations program provides an opportunity for students to share a learning conversation with a senior member of staff regarding their academic and personal goals, strategies that may assist in their learning, and finally to develop a 2022 Action Plan with a focus on improvement. The Year 12 students have received the relevant documents to enable reflection on their Year 11 achievements and prepare for their learning conversation. The focus is on the way in which students can maximise their learning opportunities in 2022. All Year 12 students will also participate in a Careers conversation with Head of Careers, Clare Timmins which will include an ATAR estimation based on their Year 11 Semester 2 examination results.

Student Learning Reflections and Learning Conversations (PTIs)

Building upon our 2021 learnings, Year 7 to 12 students will complete a self reflection in each subject prior to Learning Conversations. The reflection will be completed via Siena Central, and parents will be able to access their daughter's comments. Further details will be provided in a later edition.

The Year 7 to 12 Learning Conversations will be held on Thursday, 31 March from 4.00pm to 7.30pm and Friday, 1 April from 8.45am to 3.45pm. All Learning Conversations will take place via MS Teams meetings. More details will be published in upcoming newsletters.

The Learning Conversations are an important opportunity to develop a working and supportive relationship between subject teachers, parents and students. It is essential that students attend the Learning Conversations so that they are able to share their learning experience and participate in the conversation about subject expectations. Parents and guardians will be able to download a copy of their daughter’s Interim Report prior to the Learning Conversations.

Learning and Teaching Parent Communication

This week, all families will have received the Learning and Teaching communication via Siena Central News , outlining submission of work procedures, accessing assessment task feedback and absence during the term. We ask for your support in acquainting yourself with the information.

In the Classroom

The Siena College Learning Framework and Lesson Framework provide an excellent foundation for strong learning opportunities for our students.

Our Learning Framework incorporates four necessary elements with the learner at the centre to ensure that every student can experience growth in their learning. Our Lesson Framework provides a shared understanding of the lesson structure, enabling students to effectively engage in their learning.

All classes have commenced by determining classroom expectations. These expectations are on the subject class page and provide an excellent opportunity for students and parents to revisit.

As part of providing a safe and collaborative learning environment, students are paired with a ‘Positive Learning Partner’ (PLP). This ensures all students engage in an environment that offers support and trust and develop skills of collaboration and respect for others.

Home Learning at Siena College

Study is an integral aspect of the Dominican faith tradition. Home learning enables students to embed their classroom learning and identify areas for further growth. It also provides an opportunity for students to play an active role in reinforcing their understanding, and for parents to work in partnership with students and teachers to positively influence their education.

Amount of Home Learning / Study Per Subject

Given the diverse nature of subjects, home learning requirements vary. Part of the learning process for students involves discernment and time management as they plan home learning. Subject teachers consider the suggested total guidelines and their professional judgement in determining the home learning for their individual subject. The following is a guide by year level, regarding the amount of time that students should spend on home learning:

• Year 7
  60 to 90 minutes per day
  50 minutes maximum per subject per week

• Year 8
  60 to 90 minutes per day
  50 minutes maximum per subject per week

• Year 9
  90 minutes per day
  50 minutes per subject per week

• Year 10
  90 to 120 minutes per day
  75 minutes maximum per subject per week

• Year 11
  2 to 3 hours per day

• Year 12
  3 to 4 hours per day

Student Responsibilities

In becoming independent learners, students are encouraged to:

• Use Siena Central to access class learning and to view home learning tasks on a daily basis
• Submit work that reflects their best effort and in which they have pride

• Complete and submit all work and assessment by the due date or apply for an ‘Application for Change of Submission Date’ form, available on Siena Central (assignments and tests only)
• Establish a regular home learning routine which includes:
  - Accessing Siena Central to confirm Home Learning requirements
  - Home Learning/study planner
  - Due date calendar
  - Regular study/revision of their class work to consolidate learning
  - Dedicated learning space free of distraction
  - Catching up on missed class work if absent

• Seek assistance from their subject teacher to clarify understanding of learning and tasks
• Communicate with the subject teacher prior to the task due date, where a lack of understanding prevents completion of the task

Parent Responsibilities

Parents, as the primary educators of their children, are encouraged to:

• Provide an environment conducive to effective home study
• Help students balance the amount of time spent completing home learning with engagement in leisure or recreational activities
• Assist the students in developing a home learning/study timetable
• Encourage student to set aside a regular daily session to study/revise and complete home learning and assessment tasks by the due date
• Observe and acknowledge the students’ success by asking how their home and class work are progressing
• Check Siena Central subject class pages regularly to monitor that home learning is being completed
• Encourage students to exercise thoroughness and care in the completion of work
• Encourage students to seek assistance from the teacher where lack of understanding exists
• Communicate with class teacher or Head of Student Wellbeing and Strategy where appropriate
• Assist their daughter in determining responsible use of technology during Home Learning

A successful learning space should:

• Have a suitable desk and chair
• Be free of noise and distractions (such as the TV, iPhones, Social Media, other people, etc.)
• Be well organised, allowing easy access to resources and stationery
• Display a 2022 calendar with important dates such as due dates, assignments and key school events, etc.
• Be well lit and ventilated

Year 7 Home Learning

The Year 7 Home Learning Guidelines assist our Year 7 students in transitioning and settling into secondary school. Home Learning will commence for Year 7 students on Monday, 21 February 2022.

To assist Year 7 students with assessment requirements, a Year 7 Academic Calendar will be published and made accessible to all students and parents in the upcoming weeks, via Siena Central News. The Academic Calendar will provide an outline of the due week for Unit Assessments and whether tasks are to be completed in class or at home.

Siena Central Class Pages and Online Feedback

Siena Central provides the opportunity for both students and parents to access subject class pages with direct access to daily classroom learning and home learning tasks. The Subject Overview is accessed via the course page and outlines all unit topics and key assessment dates. This is a useful tool in assisting students to develop strong organisation skills.

Assessment Task Feedback is also communicated via Siena Central. Parents will receive an email alert when feedback has been uploaded. Please see the Parent User Guide available on Siena Central Parent Zone > College Organisation.

If you have any difficulties accessing Siena Central, please contact IT Help at ithelp@siena.vic.edu.au or 9835 0200.

NAPLAN

Online NAPLAN test dates for Year 7 and Year 9 students are:

• Wednesday, 11 May
• Thursday, 12 May
• Monday, 16 May

Further details will be communicated later in the term.

We are delighted to welcome students back to Siena, and to see and hear their excitement as they reconnected with one another. I also take this opportunity to welcome all our new families to our Siena community. We are committed to providing opportunities for all students to make connections and feel connected, especially after the last two interrupted years. Connections make us feel a part of something, part of a community, so, it is with our students. Some may have lost confidence and may require extra support and opportunities for connection. Our teachers are providing opportunities for students to work in different groups, pair up with new students and build positive relationships in all their classes. We also have a number of clubs for students to join, as well as GSV sport and music ensembles.

Starting a new year, starting at a new school or starting secondary school are all transitions that require new skills and a positive mind set. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg puts it like this: "All transitions are an invitation to grow." On Tuesday, 1 February, we had the pleasure of welcoming Michael to Siena where he addressed our Year 7 parents on ways in which parents can support their children with these rites of passage. We are very grateful towards him for allowing us to record his presentation which can be found on Siena Central.

Starting Year 7

Starting Year 7 poses many new challenges, but also offers exciting opportunities. It can come with a number of mixed feelings. Unfortunately for these students, 2020 and 2021 were marred with school closures and remote learning due to the pandemic. The overall impact of this is still unknown, but we do know that students need our support more than ever.

During this time of transition, parents and guardians need to be supportive, but also realistic in their expectations. This is an important milestone in your child’s life. There will be feelings of exhilaration, but also the fear of the unknown. Therefore, it will be important for parents and carers to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s mood and mental health during this time. They may become overly anxious and upset. You may also wish to share your concerns with your daughter’s House Group Teacher, Head of House or the College Counsellors. Our counsellors can be contacted at counselling@siena.vic.edu.au.

There are a number of strategies offered that can make this transition period smoother and start things off on the right foot! We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report.

There are many provisions in place at Siena to support you and your daughter at any time of the year. The Heads of House are a great point of contact as they can assist with a range of issues or concerns that may arise.

Counselling at Siena

The counselling service at Siena aims to support students, families and College staff to create a successful and enjoyable learning environment, where young people can learn to manage their own wellbeing. The counsellors work to support students’ mental health concerns in a confidential and respectful way while striving to develop personal insight, problem solving skills, greater self esteem and stronger relationships. Additionally, the counsellors take on a broader pastoral care role within the school to support the wellbeing of the full student cohort. A systemic approach underpins the counselling interventions with a focus on strengths and change, rather than on diagnosis and pathology.

SchoolTV at Siena College

Today, parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.

SchoolTV addresses this as an online resource designed to empower you as parents, with credible and sound information with realistic, practical and ongoing support strategies. An excellent feature of SchoolTV is that it is available in your own time when you need to access it. Evidence based recommendations and strategies are provided by specialists who practice in the field.

I invite all parents to explore this resource which can be accessed here.

Year 7 Transition

On Tuesday, 1 February, we welcomed 108 Year 7 students to Siena College. The students participated in a carefully constructed Transition Program to assist them in preparing for their secondary school journey before our older students returned to the College the following day.

This program included various activities led by a number of staff, to ensure that our new Year 7 students feel comfortable, confident and safe in their learning environment, as well as to help them maximise their learning opportunities at Siena throughout the 2022 school year.

The Year 7 student spent their first morning getting to know their House Group Teachers, who carefully introduced them to how things work at Siena. Using a variety of activities, the students got to know one another and built connections in their House Group and Learning Groups. This year, we gifted the Year 7 cohort a specially designed Year 7 Planner to assist them in staying organised. Our IT staff helped the students set up their devices, so they were ready to access important information about classes prior to their first lessons.

In the afternoon, the girls participated in a very successful Music Showcase. They were able to meet our music staff and experiment with different musical instruments available to them at the College.

At recess and lunchtime, the girls were able to meet students from different houses and explored the school grounds.

Throughout the year, the Year 7 students will participate in the Big Sister Little Sister program, a variety of Wellness Lessons and student wellbeing initiatives, all designed to foster connection to the Siena community.

We welcome feedback on the Year 7 Transition Program. Please send any thoughts to: mjewell@siena.vic.edu.au.

Wellness Program

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant, negative impact on the mental health of young people. In a 2021 headspace survey, 74% of young people reported that their mental health has worsened since the outbreak. Notable mental health institutes and advocates have identified body image concerns, safety online and academic anxiety as three of the most reported concerns young people have regarding their mental health.

At Siena College, we are committed to giving students the tools they need to manage mental health issues as they arise. That is why this year, our Wellness Program will have a particular emphasis on these three issues throughout the school year, as reflected below:

Term 1: Spirit
Term 2: Self love
Term 3: Safety
Term 4: Strength

The Wellness Program is a preventative mental health initiative designed to teach our students to recognise when they need help, provide them with a toolkit of skills to help them self manage and give them confidence to ask for help when it is needed.

We begin this year with the theme ‘Spirit’. Reconnecting with the Siena spirit, our fellow members of classes and house groups, as well as our global Dominican community will be the focus of Wellness lessons in Term 1.

On Monday, 31 January, the 2022 Student Leaders met online for the second part of their Leadership Forum. It was wonderful to see students return from their break and sharing ideas, considering the responsibilities of their specific leadership domains and the initiatives they can propose for the year.

In this, my first year as Head of Student Formation, I was impressed with the ease at which students contributed to discussions and the depth of their views on certain topics, such as ensuring that organisations and groups we support are placed into a context, so students understand the background and stories of the individuals that we are fostering relationships and working alongside with. This ensures that empathy, understanding and knowledge are at the heart of our actions. In this way the 2022 College theme, In Truth and Action, is at the fore of our engagement and leadership.

As we embark on another new year and changes occur in the life of the College, we extend our thanks to Claire Moody for her previous work with the student leaders. There is a strong and dynamic culture in the area of student leadership and events. The Student Leadership Forums have provided students a platform to express their leadership vision, have a ‘voice’, be heard and represent the ideas and views of their peers.

As student voice is valued by the College, the following are reflections from several student leaders:

"The Student Leadership Day started with a lovely warm welcome from Mrs Hanney and the College Captains, before jumping into discussions on what the focus of our work for our SRC team was going to look like moving forward. Initially we were focusing on some of our main objectives for Term 1 as a group, before moving into our smaller teams to discuss some of the projects and individual focuses of each team."
Amelie Nikolovski
Veritas Leader Service

"The Student Leadership Day provided the opportunity of connection and a taste of what the year will look like from a leader's perspective. Through dedicating a specific time prior to the formal start of the school year, we were able to connect and form relationships, work collaboratively, as well as allow for a sense of organisation and structure to be initiated. This day brought hope for the year ahead and all the amazing possibilities it upholds."
Evie Goodale
Year 11 Dianella House Captain

"The SRC gatherings bring the school leaders together to share and listen to new ideas. It is a safe place where every suggestion is taken into consideration which allows the team to have an informative and engaging discussion. The sessions benefit the SRC by allowing us to join as a team and not as individuals, to voice our fellow students' opinions and propose their suggestions. It allows us to gain an insight into the year ahead and to plan future events which uphold the Siena community spirit."
Melania Flunt
Year 10 Cassia House Captain

"On 31 January, we gathered as a Student Leadership Team and heard from many key members of staff including Mrs Hanney, Mrs Levett, Ms Rosati, Sr Sheila and Ms Mackintosh, as well as College Captains, Ashling and Macey. Following this, we then went into smaller meetings with key staff to plan for the year ahead."
Cilla Brownlie
Year 9 Waratah House Captain

"When I stand before God at the end of my life; I would hope I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me'." Erma Bombeck

A new year invites us all to consider the ways in which we are engaging in and contributing to the world in which we live. Over the past few weeks, I have spent time planning for the year ahead with our student Veritas Leaders and I am excited by the numerous possibilities we are creating within each term to use our education, our voices, our privileges, our gifts and talents to make the world a kinder, more accepting and fairer place for all.

Next Monday, our student FIRE Carriers (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) will be invited to gather with members of staff to reflect upon the significance of Apology to the Stolen Generation as we mark the anniversary of this speech. We will discuss the progress we have made in Reconciliation since 2008 and consider how we can, as FIRE Carriers in the Siena community, work towards Reconciliation through embracing the College theme for 2022, In Truth and Action.

In collaboration with St Dominic’s Parish and members of their Welcoming the Stranger group, we will once again be supporting the work of the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) by donating grocery items to BASP this term.

For those unfamiliar with the work of BASP, through their work they aim to:

• Provide hospitality and practical support for people seeking asylum
• Actively network with like minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers
• Promote advocacy for the rights of people seeking asylum
• Engage in education about asylum seekers’ issues

Further information about BASP can be found on their website.

Students will soon receive information about the grocery items they are requested to donate. All donations will be collected in House Group and handed over directly to BASP to distribute to families in and around Melbourne.

All students are warmly invited to attend meetings of the Eco Warriors (our Student Environment Group) and our newly formed Justice Group. These meetings will be run by members of the Veritas Student Leadership team. Details including meeting day, time and venue will be posted on Siena Central soon.

As Dominicans, our students are encouraged to be inspired by St Catherine to preach their faith, their beliefs and values through not only their words, but also their actions. This is how our students will set the world on fire!

A warm welcome to all new families joining our Siena community and returning families. We are very excited about the music events calendared for this year showcasing our musicians. We have concerts, workshops, festivals and music camp to look forward to this year! We hope to see families and friends at these events.

Year 7 Instrumental Music Enrolments

Thank you to all the Year 7 students and parents who attended the Instrumental Music Information webinar on Wednesday, 9 February. Hard copies of the Year 7 Instrumental Music Enrolment forms have been sent home with students and are also available using this link. For further information, please contact either, Director of Music, Kerryn McGillen or Music Administrator, Daniel Sheehan in the Music Office.

Students in Year 8 and above who wish to take up instrumental lessons, please use the general enrolment form found here.

Junior Choir: Open Rehearsals for Year 7 Students

Junior Choir rehearses on Tuesday mornings from 7.30am to 8.30am in the Susan Alberti Auditorium. We warmly invite all Year 7 students to come along to Junior Choir over the next few weeks to trial Junior Choir. It is a non auditioned choir that is directed by Stephanie Hill and Janette Patton, and their aim is to develop young voices to sing a broad range of styles.

Siena’s Night of Jazz: Auditions on Tuesday, 15 February

Siena’s Night of Jazz is always a night to remember, featuring our jazz ensembles, Stage Band, Sisters of Swing, Groove Train and Canti Dolci and solo musicians. It will be held on Thursday, 24 March at the Manningham Hotel, Ballroom. The audition signup sheet for Siena’s Night of Jazz is up on the ‘red doors’ near the Music Office. Students from all year levels are invited to audition. This year, our guest artist will be Ross Irwin, who will perform with students alongside the House band.

Ensembles Rehearsals Have Commenced

All ensembles have begun rehearsing and are getting ready for our Term 1 performances. Each morning from 7.30am to 8.30am, students and staff are greeted with music from either the West Wing or the Hall. Instrumental lessons have also started and student lesson times can be found on the Siena App and on Siena Central.

Soiree Program / First Lunchtime Soiree: Monday, 28 February

The first of the Lunchtime Soirees will be held on Monday, 28 February. Instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to participate in the soirees. The signup sheet is up on the ‘red doors’ near the Music Office. For enquiries, please contact Mr Sheehan.

We are so excited that GSV Sports Round 1 is back next week! We’ve got our Softball, Tennis and Indoor Cricket teams kicking off. In addition, we’ve got swimming and diving back, with our first swimming meet on Tuesday. Aerobics is also commencing its 2022 campaign. What a big week of sport ahead! Go Siena!!

In the first edition of Siena Career News, students and parents will find lots of information that will assist them in making some of those important career decisions for the future!

You can find a list of all the services that can be accessed from the Careers Office at Siena College, as well as information on the amazing Tuckwell Scholarship that will be of particular interest to students who are keen on studying at the Australian National University in Canberra. Lastly, there is also information on another very valuable scholarship, the Hansen Scholarship from the Melbourne University.

Students who are interested in studying Medicine will want to read up on the UCAT, which is one of the additional requirements of most undergraduate Medical degrees in Australia. Year 12 students interested in Medicine will need to register from next month for this test. All Year 12s considering Medicine for 2023 are advised to book a Careers appointment to discuss requirements of their application. Information on some new university courses is also available in the latest edition of Siena Career News. For example, the Masters Program in Climate Change from the Monash University.

Allied Health careers are in demand and are also very popular with Siena graduates. Oral Health and Occupational Therapy tertiary courses are featured in this edition, where students can compare courses from various institutions using the matrices provided.

You will also find a recent update on the World University Rankings, which may be important to students when it comes to shortlisting a university.

For more details on all of the above, read the Siena Career News or visit the Siena Careers website.

The Siena Central app is FREE and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Parents can use the app to access College news, log absences, access your daughter’s learning overview, view SPA events, pay fees, check your daughter's cocurricular sport or music schedule, update your details, and more!

The Absences tile on the Siena app is now the preferred way for parents to log student absences.

Follow the download steps below OR click here to view our video tutorial on how to use the app:

Siena College has partnered with Edstart, Australia’s leading education finance provider, to make it easier for our families to manage school fee payments. Families can use Edstart to cover any items appearing on your College fee statement including tuition fees, instrumental music charges, VET charges, fees for national or overseas trips and amounts in arrears.

With Edstart Pay+ you can smooth out your fees across the next few years without incurring any service or interest charges. Edstart Extend is a payment option through which you can reduce your annual school fee spend by extending payments for up to five years after graduation.

Weekly, fortnight or monthly payments can be made through Edstart.

For further information, visit the website or watch this short video.

Please note, in providing information about Edstart, we do not provide any recommendations, brokering or advice services. We do not receive referral fees, commissions or any other remuneration from Edstart.